The winning points were set up when Brandon Thurmond recovered a fumble at the Langston 30-yard line with just over a minute remaining. Justin Billings ran for 13 yards and Benjamin Anderson gained 9 on another run to move the Golden Lions closer for the winning kick.

Ja'Quon Miles passed for 154 yards and a touchdown for Langston, and Will Taylor's 1-yard run with 10:44 to play tied the game at 14. The NAIA school beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 19-12 in last season's opener.